www.thefilemyrs.com > Birding > Ontario 2008 > Trip Report

Ontario 2008 Trip Report by Connie Goldman

February 2008 had rolled around, which meant it was time for another winter birding adventure in Ontario! Our group of friends would spend five days trying to see the winter birds of the area. We’d visit birding hotspots in Kingston, Ottawa and Huntsville, and spend a day at Algonquin Provincial Park. We would look for birds at numerous roadside and neighborhood feeding stations, parks, trails and a dump (of course!) along our route through Pennsylvania, New York, to Canada and back.

Day 1 – Monday, February 18, 2008

Karl Lukens had driven up from Cape May, NJ the night before, spending the night at the home of Bert Filemyr, in Meadowbrook, PA. Connie Goldman drove down from Churchville, PA, meeting the two at Bert’s house at 5:30am. After a stop for coffee, the three drove to pick up Bill Murphy at his home in Oreland, PA, then up the NE extension of the PA Turnpike to Lansdale to meet Ann and Mac Scott by about 6:25am. They had driven from Telford to a parking lot near this exit. Our group now fully assembled and packed in, we were off! We drove north, ticking off common PA and then NY birds along the way. We arrived at our first destination point, Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY by 10:00am. This park looks out over Lake Cayuga. Here we would search for the Slaty-backed Gull that had been sighted in the area. Numerous birders from the east coast and beyond had already come to Ithaca to try and get looks at this rare vagrant to North America. It would be a lifer for everyone in our group.

The sun shone and hardly a wind blew as we looked out over the lake, setting up scopes. We immediately noticed that the number of gulls we were seeing was significantly below the total numbers reported recently. This did not bode well for our success. We scanned distant groups of gulls situated in groups out on the frozen lake and panned through the small number of gulls flying circles overhead. But no unusual gull could be found. Another site for the Slaty-backed was the compost pile area in town. We drove there next, also finding fewer gulls than expected. Presumably, the mild weather had tempted the gulls further afield for the day. We left Ithaca without our target sighting.

Disappointed but not deterred, we went on, knowing we would likely take another shot at the Slaty-backed on our drive back home. In northern NY, we stopped at a few feeding stations reported to have had held winter species of interest. We were successful in finding a flock of Evening Grosbeaks enjoying the seed at one feeding area. A Rough-legged Hawk flew over an open area along our route, and a roadside field held Horned Larks.

Continuing to note roadside birds along the way, we crossed the border into Canada at 2:00pm. We headed straight toward the ferry to Wolfe Island, our next destination point. Based on reports of few winter birds of interest on Amherst Island this year, we had decided to alter our traditional route and try Wolfe Island. It would be a new winter birding location for all of us. Conveniently, a Tim Horton’s Restaurant was situated adjacent to the ferry station. A fun tradition for these trips, we happily stopped in for food there, before getting in line for the ferry.

Wolfe Island did not disappoint . We drove the roads scanning the large, open fields suited to the island’s past history as a dairy farming area. Roads were icy, slushy, flooded, or a treacherous combination of all three. Bert maneuvered us through (or around) it all. And the winter birds of the island revealed themselves to us. We had numerous rewarding sightings of Rough-legged Hawks, some perched, some flying over the fields. We found a large flock of Wild Turkeys on the island, and we would see this species every day of our trip! We were successful in finding Snowy Owls out in the icy fields, in spite of their efforts at camoflauge. Karl got on a Northern Shrike perched characteristically on a small high branch. We watched as the bird went down behind a shrub row and got on the shrike again some distance away. Or was this another shrike? As dusk settled in early on this stark gray day, we scanned the fields for Short-eared Owls, but did not find them. We returned to the ferry station and headed back to the mainland and our Kingston hotel.
We enjoyed happy hour in our hotel rooms, completed our sightings list for the day and congratulated ourselves on a successful 1st day’s birding. We had dinner at the local Kelsey’s Restaurant, and settled in to rest up for our next day’s birding.

Day 2 – Tuesday, February 19, 2008

We had breakfast in our hotel, and left for the Dupont Hotponds, a Kingston site for ducks and waterfowl. The characteristic mist was not visible over the ponds, and we wondered if the warm industrial effluent was running this morning. On the open pond waters we found only Mallards and Black Ducks, and an American Coots or two. The areas farther out, that traditionally held other species, was mostly frozen over on this visit. We decided to move on.

Traditionally, we would head toward the provincial park this day, and spend the last half of the day and the whole next day, birding Algonquin. But fewer reports of birds in the park this year prompted another change in our trip plan. We would drive north to birding spots in the Ottawa area. We’d have another new birding experience as we visited spots heretofore unknown to us.
Salt and Akins Road is an area of farms and fields reported to have Gray Partridge. Though none were found on this visit, we did see Horned Larks and a flock of Snow Buntings here.
What is a good birding trip without at least one dump among destination points? The dump in Nepean was our next stop. Though access for birders is not permitted on the property, gulls can be viewed from the road. We found some resting in an open area behind the dump fence, and pulled off the road to take a look. Using telescopes, we found common gulls including Great Black-backed and Ring-billed. We also saw Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, targets for the trip. One scope view provided a look at both of these species in one glass, and both adult and juvenile gulls were present. An additional surprise at the dump was the influx of a group of Snow Buntings, which landed on the embankment along the roadside. Very up-close-and personal views were had, as we watched them search for food in the weedy grass.

The Jack Pine Trail is a place where woodpeckers are reported near the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club feeder. We spent some time looking and listening in this area but were unable to locate any new species. Neighborhood feeders did not provide new species. A vagrant Townsend’s Solitaire had been reported in an Ottawa neighborhood, and we did have good fortune with this bird. We found it out in the open on a windowsill, drinking water that had accumulated in a groove of the window frame. Much of the afternoon after this was unproductive, as we came up empty at numerous stops. The Canadian Arboretum had been reported to receive visits by waxwings to the crabapple trees there. Although our walk through the area was pleasant, we did not encounter a waxwing of any persuasion. A brief foray into Quebec Province got some common species there for those among us who list by state and province. However, we failed to locate the Harlequin Duck being seen this winter in the Ottawa River near the bridge. We agreed that the Riverside Drive views of Common Goldeneye along the Rideau River were spectacular, the lack of bird diversity here could not hold our interest. We birded the Grandview Road area and found nothing new.

We made our way west to the Shirley’s Bay area and drove down Hilda Road. We encountered a busy feeder there and found numbers of Common Redpolls. There were Hoary Redpolls among them! We watched carefully, trying to get everyone in the car on the birds. This was a lifer for some of us. Finally two of the hoaries were seen at the feeder, with Common Redpolls on the other perches. We all got wonderful looks and had a great opportunity for species comparison. We watched the feeders for awhile, enjoying Hairy Woodpeckers, American Tree Sparrow and other common species also visiting the feeding station. As we went south and west from here, we found ourselves on a gated Military base road, and turned around to find a different route. A large flock of birds flew overhead, and we recognized them as waxwings. They settled down in the trees along the road, and we identified them as Bohemian Waxwings! We watched this flock of over 100 birds as they perched in the trees close to our vehicle.

Any disappointment from our difficult afternoon of birding quickly faded away, and we headed happily for our hotel in Renfrew. The drive west to this town would shorten our morning drive to Algonquin Provincial Park, our destination for the next day. Happy hour in our hotel rooms included time to bask over pictures of our redpolls, and a cheerful time compiling our short but significant day list. The day ended with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 - Wednesday, February 20, 2008

After breakfast in town at Tim Horton’s (where else?), we drove west toward Algonquin. Mac enlightened us about the Canadian Shield, the ancient bedrock on which much of Canada is situated. We learned of it being the first part of North America to be permanently elevated above sea level; and that the Hudson Bay and many lakes were created from it by continental ice sheets that hollowed out sections. We arrived in Whitney, and cruised the neighborhoods, looking for feeder birds. While we did not encounter finches, siskins or redpolls, a huge flock of Blue Jays greeted and scolded us from the evergreens. This noisy group of over 40 jays showed us what display a large group of common but beautiful birds can make.

We stopped at the East Gate of Algonquin to obtain a day pass and see what was around in the parking lot area. Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped chickadees foraged in the evergreens there. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers were also present.
At the end of Opeongo Road, we took part in the traditional activity of hand feeding the local birds. No sooner had we exited our vehicle than Gray Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped Chickadees showed up, more than willing to land in our outstretched hands to take a seed or two. We also scanned the evergreens and peered into the woods hoping for grouse here, but found none. Pine Grosbeaks came down to seed on the ground, presenting photo opportunities. We played a tape for Boreal Chickadees even though none were reported there this winter. To our surprise and joy, three Boreal Chickadees showed up immediately and put on a real show. Having enjoyed the Opeongo scene, we moved on to the visitor center. From the deck there we enjoyed the view and watched a number of Pine Grosbeaks among the common species at the feeding station.

Next we walked the Spruce Bog Boardwalk area. In the parking area, chickadees and nuthatches foraged in seed that had been left there by other visitors. We entered the trail, and though we were not offering seed at this time, the mixed flock followed us into the woods. They moved along with us, staying in branches within close range of us. Offering an outstretched hand was enough of an invitation to get them to land, though they looked up, seeming disappointed that there was no seed to take! Surprisingly, we heard Boreal Chickadees among the group! These elusive birds had showed up, perhaps 2 individuals. Karl was able to get some photos to document our happy sighting of these little guys.

At Mew Lake Campground we tried for Black-backed woodpecker, but found none. A more-than-welcome consolation prize was the excellent views we got of Pine Martens. At least two of these beautiful mammals were walking the campground area, watchful of us, but unrattled by our presence. We then hiked some distance along Two Lakes Trail, finding grouse tracks but not seeing any of the birds.

Mileposts # 8, #7 and #3 along the main park road are traditional sites for Black-backed Woodpeckers. We tried at each of these stops, but did not get the bird this time around. We had numerous Common Raven sightings in Algonquin. At the West Gate area, Common Redpolls came in to the feeder. We saw lots of evidence of Pileated Woodpeckers in the nearby trees, but none of these birds showed up while we were there. We checked feeders in Huntsville neighborhoods before heading to our hotel there.

We had happy hour and completed our day’s checklist, then enjoyed dinner at Three Guys and a Stove Restaurant. Returning to the hotel, we waited a bit before going off to sleep. This night, there was a full lunar eclipse. We enjoyed frigid visits outside the hotel lobby to enjoy the progress of this natural phenomenon and get photos to remember the event.

Day 4 - Thursday, February 21, 2008

After breakfast in our hotel, we headed to the Bracebridge area, checking local feeders. At one home we were invited by the resident to come onto the property to get looks into the side yard feeders. An elaborate snow fort built there also provided a good ‘blind’ for bird viewing. No new species were found. Next we drove to the Orillia area and visited a bed and breakfast in the area. Welcomed by the owner to view the feeders there, we awaited the reported redpoll flock and hoped the local Pileated Woodpecker might pay a visit. Though neither of these appeared, we enjoyed the hospitality provided us here, and got great looks at a Hairy Woodpecker who had the feeding station pretty much to himself.

As we drove toward Minesing, west of Orillia, a Pileated Woodpecker was seen on a roadside tree trunk here, and we watched as it flew away. Although Bill and Bert had gotten a glimpse at a pileated earlier in the trip, this sighting ‘cleaned up’ the bird for the rest of us! Along the roads in the Minesing area, we were rewarded with the sighting of three different Northern Shrikes, one seen with prey in its grasp, and numerous Rough-legged Hawks

Next we visited LaSalle Park and Marina. We got looks at the Trumpeter Swans here and added numerous ducks to our list. These included Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and others. The viewing of many ducks at LaSalle is at close range for some species, providing great looks and photo opportunities.

We went next to the Stoney Creek area, where our target was the Northern Hawk Owl that has spent the season here. While at times reported to be out in the open perched on a telephone pole or wire along the road, it was not the case for us. We walked a path parallel to the railroad tracks and spent time scanning into the brushy and treed areas. It took some work, but finally Connie sighted the bird’s silhouette in a distant tree. Scope looks brought the birds features into good view and we congratulated ourselves on another important trip sighting.

At the Hamilton lift bridge, we enjoyed seeing more ducks and gulls including White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and Buffleheads. The local Peregrine Falcon did not make an appearance during our visit. As dusk approached, we drove on to Niagara Falls and our hotel for the night. We had happy hour in our hotel rooms and added the day’s species to the trip list. We drove into the tourist area of town to enjoy dinner at the local Kelsey’s Restaurant.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Breakfast was in our hotel again, and we were off to the Sir Adam Beck Overlook and the Whirlpool area to search for gulls. Some Bonaparte’s Gulls were reported still hanging around the area, though it was late in the season for them. We were unable to find any individuals of this species. We did find Iceland Gulls among the numerous birds circling at the overlook. We moved on to a favorite feeding area on Stevens Road and added Tufted Titmouse and Red-bellied Woodpecker to our sightings there.

We stopped at various areas along the Falls, including the Control Gates area, the main Falls viewing area and the Duffin Island Park feeding area. While the views were fantastic, even in this icy gray weather, we did not add new species here. We decided to head south and soon found ourselves across the border, in New York State, USA.

We headed directly for Ithaca and Stewart Park, hoping to top our trip off with the addition of the Slaty-backed Gull. We arrived at the park finding more gulls than on our previous visit, but they were distant, resting far out on the frozen area of Cayuga Lake. We set up our scopes along the shore and began to scan the rows of gulls for the field marks of our target bird. Tom Johnson, local student and birder, had agreed to meet us at the park to help. He arrived before too long, and soon had us (well, most of us) on the bird! We had another great lifer for the trip. Views of the Slaty-backed were distant, even with scopes. We walked out on the ice to try for closer looks, and possibly, photographs. The gulls, still a great distance away from us, got up and flew in a circular pattern overhead. Where would the Slaty-backed come down? Though we searched a bit longer, the bird was not located again, and Tom, after providing us with some unplanned excitement, needed to get back to his college residence. We thanked him for his help in getting a good life bird for our group, and said good-bye.

The drive home was hampered by sleet, snow and rain conditions in New York, with problematic icy roads. Numerous vehicles had slid off the highway. Bert took his time driving, and we lessened the trial of the longer-than-expected ride by listening to music from our iPods. We dropped Ann and Mac at their car in Lansdale by about 8:30pm, dropped Bill off at his place, and were back to Meadowbrook by 9:15pm; Karl drove on south to Cape May and Connie to Churchville.

This was another fun and successful trip for our group. We had a terrific time and made some great memories. We look forward to more birding trips together in the future!